2003 Acura MDX: recalls and complaints

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• 19V49900027 Jun 2019Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
• 19V50100027 Jun 2019Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 19V1820006 Mar 2019Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
• 16V34400023 May 2016Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 15V37000015 Jun 2015Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module
• 15V32000028 May 2015Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
• 15V04500028 Jan 2015Air Bags / Frontal
• 14V7000004 Nov 2014Air Bags
• 14V35300020 Jun 2014Air Bags
• 13V41200019 Sep 2013Air Bags
• 12V57300011 Dec 2012Electrical System / Ignition / Switch

1. 19V499000Received 27 Jun 2019. 3,947 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number Q5A, Y58. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Aug 2019.

2. 19V501000Received 27 Jun 2019. 1,657,752 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number E5D, X5C. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Aug 2019.

3. 19V182000Received 6 Mar 2019. 1,101,534 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number U40,M45,O41,G44. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Apr 2019.

4. 16V344000Received 23 May 2016. 1,790,894 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number KA0, KA1, KA2, KA3. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Jun 2016.

5. 15V370000Received 15 Jun 2015. 3,498,481 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number JU4, JU5, JU6, JU7. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Jul 2015.

6. 15V320000Received 28 May 2015. 6,281,043 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number JQ9 & JR0-JR8. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Jul 2015.

7. 15V045000Received 28 Jan 2015. 374,177 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JN6 (Odyssey), and JN7 (MDX). Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-412. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for that campaign need to have the SRS ECU replaced under this campaign.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number JP5, JP6. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 22 Feb 2016.

8. 14V700000Received 4 Nov 2014.

   Air Bags

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 26 Jan 2015.

9. 14V353000Received 20 Jun 2014. 133,207 units.

   Air Bags

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

   Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number JH6,JH7,JH8,JH9,JJ0. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Sep 2014.

10. 13V412000Received 19 Sep 2013. 374,618 units.

    Air Bags

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).

    Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number JC2/JC3. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Nov 2013.

11. 12V573000Received 11 Dec 2012. 807,161 units.

    Electrical System / Ignition / Switch

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number S73/S74. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 22 Feb 2013.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2003 Acura MDX
• All 2003 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 18.

Complaints that report a crash

4

Complaints that report a fire

2

Injuries in the complaints

3

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

5 Oct 2010

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 20014
2. 20024
3. 200311
4. 20048
5. 200511
6. 20069
7. 20070
8. 20080
9. 20090
10. 20101
11. 20121
12. 20131
13. 20148
14. 20158
15. 20167
16. 20178
17. 201810
18. 20199
19. 20208
20. 20222
21. 20232
22. 20242
23. 20253
24. 20261

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Acura MDX: all model years
• Acura: 20 model lines

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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
• NHTSA page of the 2003 Acura MDXThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2003 Acura MDX?

16,022,814 units in 11 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Acura MDX have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 42 recall campaigns for the Acura MDX, model years 2001 to 2026. 11 of them name the 2003 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2003 Acura MDX name most often?

Power Train: 45 of 94 component mentions, or 478.7 per 1,000. For all 2003 vehicles the figure is 136.5 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2003 Acura MDX open?

2 investigations have no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 5 that name this model year.